Migration Policy Institute’s Online Journal Examines the Migration of Chinese and Taiwanese Immigrants as Special Series Continues

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Migration Policy Institute’s Online Journal Examines the Migration of Chinese and Taiwanese Immigrants as Special Series Continues

WASHINGTON — In recent decades, shifting migration patterns with respect to China (including Hong Kong and Macau) and Taiwan have had profound socioeconomic, cultural, and political impacts worldwide. In the latest installment in a four-part series on migration to, from, and within China and Taiwan, the Migration Policy Institute’s online journal, the Migration Information Source, examines migration trends in Taiwan as well as the migration patterns of these immigrants elsewhere.

The special issue, “Migration in the Modern Chinese World,” is comprised of seven articles written by leading experts in the migration field. Previous articles have covered the internal migration and motivations of Chinese rural-urban migrants, the growing prominence of immigration into China, current data on immigrants from China living in the United States and the integration of Chinese and Taiwanese immigrants in South Africa.

The first of two new articles published today, Tradition and Progress: Taiwan’s Evolving Migration Reality, delves into the history of migration within Taiwan and some of the emerging challenges of increased immigration. Author Ji-Ping Lin analyzes Taiwanese migration from the 17 th century through present-day trends, showcasing migration patterns that have helped spur the development of the country’s industrial, services, and technological industries. In the past 20 years, international migration has re-emerged in relevance for Taiwan and now includes the immigration of foreign workers and wives as well as the emigration of some of Taiwan’s best and brightest.

In the second feature, Here, There, and Back Again: A New Zealand Case Study of Chinese Circulatory Transmigration, author Manying Ip examines the nonlinear migration patterns of Chinese and Taiwanese immigrants in New Zealand. The author finds that migrants from China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan share a tendency for traversing between their country of origin; country of work, study, or residence; and even a third country as the needs of the family dictate. More notably, Ip also finds that a migrant’s sense of home and identity are not always as predictable as researchers or policymakers might think.

The series will conclude next week with the publication of a detailed profile of Taiwanese immigrants in the United States using the most recent data available. For all previous series articles, visit www.migrationinformation.org/issue_jan12.cfm

The Migration Information Source provides fresh thought and authoritative data from numerous global organizations and governments, and global analysis of international migration and refugee trends. To sign up for the free, bimonthly e-newsletter, which includes a monthly feature on U.S. immigration policy developments and other features on international and U.S. migration developments, plus profiles providing demographic and other data on major immigrant populations, click here.

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The Migration Policy Institute is an independent, non-partisan, non-profit think tank in Washington, D.C. dedicated to analysis of the movement of people worldwide. MPI provides analysis, development and evaluation of migration and refugee policies at the local, national and international levels. For more on MPI, please visit www.migrationpolicy.org.